The thumping in my heart didn't cease even when my two best friends had said numerous motivating and encouraging words. Everyone was waiting for the news of the week. All eyes were on me and whispers took over the assembly as we waited for the principal to get on the podium.

My heart tripled it's pace at the sight of the principal sauntering to the podium. She was in a maroon suit and had changed her hair from the braids she had on yesterday. Her kinky hair was packed up.

Mrs Adebayo was given the microphone and she started. "At the beginning of the term, I warned and pleaded with every student of the school to be of good behaviour. Well, unfortunately, few of you didn't heed to that advice."

Sighing, my lips went into my mouth and I bowed my head. My life was never going to be the same henceforth. It was totally the end. Dad had insisted on me facing the consequences of my action hence me being here despite the marks and bruises on my body and the pain.

"A student of International Scholars High has brought shame to our school. And it hurts me to say it had to be one of our very best." She opened the small black book in her hand and called, "Oyesile Oluwatobiloba, can you step forward."

I bit my lower lip and slowly made my way to the podium. A path was cleared for me and I heard a familiar voice; "the goody two shoes isn't as good as we thought after all." I looked up momentarily to see Toyosi, the owner of the voice.

"What is more disappointing is that this student tried to commit an abortion in the school."

I joined the principal on the podium. My head was still cast down and my hands behind me.

"The disciplinary panel of the school has met and has come to a decision that Oyesile Tobiloba will be expelled from this school." I shot my head up while the rest of the students gave a shout then murmurs broke out seconds after.

My heart sank. My eyes made contact with brown ones. I despised him, a lot. I detested him with every fiber of my being. I returned the frown on his face with a look of contempt. He averted his gaze abruptly. I knew staring at him much longer would have me plunging towards him to strangle and restrict his airflow. When I was sure he was lifeless then I'd ask, who dey breath? He wasn't worth going to jail for so I returned to bowing my head.

"Silence!" The principal's order was ignored and I think the murmurs became even louder. Minutes later the murmurs died down then the principal  continued with her words, directing at me, "make sure to get your expulsion letter from the administrative block before you leave. A copy will also be sent to your parents."

I gave a small nod then she dismissed me with a hand. I returned to where I was with over a thousand eyes following my every movement. Mrs Iboro climbed the podium while the principal left.

"Can you all see the shame she has brought  upon herself? When we tell you to stay away from boys, you wouldn't listen." Mrs Iboro started her pep talk.

Anna took my wrist."Tobi, you were expelled." She mention like I wasn't aware.

Adjusting her tie to her neck, Zara stated, "they are taking this too far. You get expelled, then what of Daniel?"

A frown marred my features. Why wasn't Daniel called out like I was? After all, it was his sperm and the stupid baby was his. He ought to have suffered the same humiliation I went and is still going through. Yesterday, I gave them as much information  as I could to prove he was responsible and the cause of the useless thing occupying my tummy.

My distressed orbs travelled to the tall fool. He was whispering something into Wale's ear.

"It's not fair na." Zara muttered, her forehead wrinkled in displeasure. It wasn't fair I was the one suffering for both our crime.

Anna's fingers went to the end of her hair and played with them. "So today is your last day in ISHS." A small sigh followed afterwards.

We all fell silent as it dawned on us. Zara had her teeth on her other lip while Anna who was still working on her hair looked concentrated on Mrs Iboro's pep talk.

"-your studies! At this stage it's your priority not fine boy or girl. They have nothing to offer but pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. You can see your colleague who is pregnant now." At this point I rolled my eyes. Mrs Iboro continued, "International Scholars High won't condone any of your immoral acts anymore. You all should be ready to face the consequences for your actions just like your colleague is doing now." My eyes turned in their sockets again.

"Did they believe you when you told them he's the father of the baby?"

I hissed. "Anna, his father was literally on his side. I gave them enough evidence but I think they didn't believe me."

"A DNA can solve this." Zara announced.

"That's till she gives birth."

"No, Anna." She shook her head in the negative while my brows furrowed. "I saw in a movie once. They were having doubts about the paternity of the baby then they did the test while she was pregnant."

Anna made a fart sound with her mouth. "Are you sure Nigeria has that technology?"

"Definitely!" Zara nodded.

I still couldn't wrap my head around things. It was all happening too fast and they felt so surreal. How could I have been so blind to him, to his deceit, to his actions. Men were really thrash! They were scum, garbage, a bunch of lowlifes and God's worst mistake.

I whipped my head around and my eyes made contact with his again, a frown marred my features as I shot a glare his way. He tore his gaze from mine to the podium. I turned my head around and crossed my arms.

"Don't you think it'll be risky for- what's going to happen now?"Anna's lips took a downward curve. " What's going to happen now that you've been expelled?"

All three of us were silent. What was really going to happen now that I was leaving international scholars high?

* * * * *

Anna patted my back as I kept puking into the toilet. Of all pregnancy symptoms, nausea was definitely my most hated. I had just taken down a  bottle of soyamilk and right after the stupid baby decided to send it up.

I sat on the floor of the toilet and wiped my mouth with my palm. The toilet was sparkling and spotless, I guess it was one of the perks of it being in the admission office.

"Do you feel better?" Anna inquired, I nodded then sighed after. I stood from the floor then went to the sink, turned on the tap then splashed water on my face.

Looking up to the mirror, I saw my features. A sad sigh went past my lips. I had no idea who was standing before the mirror. It sure wasn't me. I was darker, chubby and my face was swollen. I had eye bags , from crying too much.

I whipped my head to the left as Zara barged into the toilet with a bottle of water with her. She stretched it at me and I collected it. I took a few gulps and cleaned my mouth with it then we all stepped out.

I sucked in a deep breath and moved to the reception desk while the girls waited for me by the door of the entrance to the admin office which we were in.

The AC on full blast didn't stop the beads of sweat that arrayed on my forehead despite my wet face. "Good afternoon ma, I'm here to collect my letter." I whispered on getting there.

Miss Deborah looked up from the monitor,blew the gum in her mouth, popped it and returned her gaze to the monitor. "What do you want?" She asked eyes still fixed on the monitor.

"I was told to collect my letter here."

She looked up, "appointment letter?" She raised an eyebrow and quickly blew a bubble, "are you the new Agric teacher?"

I bit my lower lip, "No, the letter I was asked to give to my parents."

"Speak up, please. I have a lot to do, I don't have time for your games, biko." Miss Deborah muttered,typing away on the keyboard.

I was trying hard not to snap at her. Who else was coming to pickup a letter? And didn't she know me? I was the name on the lips of everyone in ISHS.  If she wanted to embarrass me she could do so why go through the corners?

"The letter. My dismissal-"

"She's talking about her expulsion letter ma." Toyosi walked into the admission office with a grin plastered on her face.

All heads turned to the doorway where Toyosi was standing. From the side of my eyes, I saw Anna roll her eyes while Zara hissed  and left the door way to sit on the lounge chair.

I returned her grin with a smile. I wasn't going to let this bitch get to me, I had more on my plate. "Yes, Miss Deborah. My expulsion letter." I got out through gritted teeth.

Miss Deborah picked the intercom. She spoke into the phone while Toyosi and I death glared one another. She was such a bitch.

"You girls, wait here. I'll be back." Miss Deborah said then disappeared into an office.

"Toyosi, what are you doing here?" Anna beat me to asking that question.

Sauntering towards me, Toyosi twirled her tie with that smug grin still etched on her face. I wanted to slap it off her so bad. "Isn't this my school? Or what will I be doing here?"

Obviously she was here to gloat. I shook my head and directed it at Miss Deborah's work space. I placed my hands on the tall wooden  table and drummed my fingers in no particular rhythm.

"Iya beji, oops, my bad."  I whipped my head around to see Toyosi's palm covering her mouth. "I meant Tobi but you know iya beji and Tobi sounds alike."

Again, Anna beat me to responding, "they don't." She crossed her arms. "But you'll know that if you were smart." She ended with a smirk; I smirked too.

"Olodo." I muttered.

Toyosi's features contorted to a frown. "Tobi, watch it!"

I turned around fully with a smug grin, "oops, my bad. I meant to say okirika but you know olodo and okirika sound alike." Now she'd know how it feels.

She shot a glare at me and took some steps my way. "I don't blame you. I guess it's the pregnancy hormones messing with you, I totally understand."

Zara stood. "Toyosi, what exactly are you doing here?"

"What's your business?" Toyosi turned her head to Zara. "Is this your father's house?"

"Neither does any one of your wretched ancestors own this place." Zara retorted.

"Bitch!"

"Slut!"

"Nincompoop."

"See, Zara just leave her." I said, stopping her from replying Toyosi. The witch was just here to spite us.

My day couldn't get any worse when senior Abdul and his bodyguard Japheth walked into the admission office. I let out a groan, then bit my lower lip.

"Ahan, mummy Duduke, what are you still doing in our school?" Japheth directed at me; I rolled my eyes and gave a scowl. He walked to me and tapped my shoulder, "is it not you, I'm talking to?"

I ignored him and joined Zara on the yellow lounge chair. I wasn't going to let any of them get to me, I was bigger than whatever stunt they were here to pull.

"Who this one dey do shakara for?" Abdul sneered. "Or you think we came here for you?"

Toyosi went to Abdul's side and put her elbow on his shoulder. "Abdul, don't mind her, you know she's pregnant, you should understand her condition."

Japheth joined us on the chair. He crossed his arms and leaned close to me. "Things wouldn't have turned out this way if you had chosen Abdul."

Maybe things would have been different if I had chosen Abdul over Daniel. I couldn't and I regretted it. I was stuck with this miserable life now.

HEAVILY UNEDITED !